Fall 2004

The Renaissance

History B353/H509

Instructor: Dr. Kevin C. Robbins Time: Thurs. 5:45-825 p.m.

Associate Professor Place: CA 221

History/Philanthropic Studies

IUPUI

Office: CA 504Q/503Q.

Office Phone: 317-274-5819; Fax: 317-278-7800.

E-Mail: krobbin1@iupui.edu

Office Hours: Tue./Thur. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (and by Appointment).

Course Description: This course will make a possibly heroic (and probably foolhardy) attempt to comprehend the Renaissance in Italy in sixteen weeks. The examination and interrogation of original and challenging Renaissance masterworks in all the rhetorical, literary, and fine arts of the era will be constant components of the course. Since the instructor is a European urban and cultural historian by training, the emphasis here falls on the socio-historical, socio-economic, and socio-cultural factors combining over time to create the "The Renaissance" (or "Renaissances") in Italian civic context, especially the city of Florence.

The course is not really designed to tell you what the Renaissance was, but, more importantly, to confront you with complex, perplexing, even scandalous and outrageous original books, pamphlets, and treatises of the era that should enable you to form your own opinions as to what the "Renaissance(s)" may have once been. We must work individually and collectively to question constantly how the "Renaissance(s)" happened and what it (or they) meant and became in the vital city of Florence, in the violent and conflicted lands of Italy, and, ultimately, across Europe. We should always inquire why such a term as "Renaissance" (meaning "new birth," "rebirth," or "revival") properly developed to describe this fascinating and beautifully complex era. In a sixteen-week search for the real, deeper human and cultural meanings of "Renaissance," we will turn for clues to the social, material, literary, pedagogical, historical, artful, clandestine and deviant records of this era. We will examine, for example, contemporary behaviors and changes in how Italian city-dwellers, especially Florentines, really lived, learned, read, painted, sculpted, copulated, and thought. We will probe Renaissance Italians' novel habits of self-fashioning and graphic self-assertion. Special topics of analysis in class reading will be the key roles of artists and writers in advancing the Renaissance, the nature and power of elite patronage (artful investment strategies) to transform Italian civic culture, and how the reform of education engaged with Renaissance transformations of self and city. We also seek to know how and why historians (like you) figured prominently in the "Renaissance(s)." One needs to explore the economics and dynamics of the Florentine art marketplace, the propensity of elite Florentines not only to buy art, but also to write educational treatises about art, and the development of the science of perspective. The Renaissance(s) apparently enabled clandestine creation and circulation of sexually graphic literatures (including pornography) offering bizarre perspectives on men, women, and human nature at the time. We want to find out why and how.

This course, by presenting students with several different kinds of readings by a diverse array of authors, also will address the history and the historiography of the "Renaissances." That is how scholars with differing perspectives on the subject document and write about it. Students will learn not just what may have happened during "The Renaissance(s)" but also how scholars have come to write about, define, and redefine what the term "The Renaissance" meant or means today. In keeping with this important class theme, all students should be continually asking themselves over the course of the semester what they believe the term "Renaissance" really to mean--historically and culturally. Students should constantly search for in all class materials cogent definitions of what the term "Renaissance" may or could mean. Students may find it useful to maintain a running list of such potential definitions of "Renaissance" in a class notebook dedicated to that purpose.

Required Course Readings: Listed below (in order of use) are the required readings for this upper-division history course. Books may be purchased at the IUPUI campus bookstore (Cavanaugh Hall, Basement) on the History shelves (look for History B353), via online booksellers, or through local bookshops. All texts are either in print in hardback and paperback at this time or circulate now as good used copies at online booksellers. All students should have their own copy of all required texts. NOTE: If you purchase your books at IUPUI, recall that the bookstore ships back unsold textbooks very early each semester. Get all of your books early.

Required Course Readings.

Burke, Peter. The Italian Renaissance: Culture and Society in Italy. 2^nd ed., Princeton Univ. Press,

1999.

Kallendorf, Craig W., (ed.). Humanist Educational Treatises. Harvard Univ. Press, I Tatti

Renaissance Library, Vol. 5, 2002.

Bruni, Leonardo. History of the Florentine People, (James Hankins, ed.). Harvard Univ. Press,

I Tatti Renaissance Library, Vol. 3, 2001.

Turner, A. Richard. Renaissance Florence: The Invention of A New Art. Prentice Hall, Perspectives

Series, 1997.

Alberti, Leon Battista. On Painting. (Cecil Grayson, Translator). Penguin Classics Edition,

Penguin Books, 1991.

Vignali, Antonio. La Cazzaria: The Book of the Prick. (I.F. Moulton, Translator). Routledge

Press, 2003. [Disclaimer: All students should note that the Vignali text is a raucous,

very explicitly worded, radical, subversive, deeply anti-clerical, and often pornographic Renaissance dialogue and satire on human sexual behavior, social conventions, gender roles, status conflicts, and politics--both intimate and public. Its form, content, and supremely irreverent tone make it eminently worthy of close scholarly study as one of the most bizarre, even outrageous productions of Italian

Renaissance literary culture. Students who find the content and wording of this piece unacceptably offensive for whatever reason need only to alert the instructor who will then assign to them alternate, less shocking reading.]

Course Requirements: 1) Regular class attendance (two unexcused absences will lower your final grade). Class rosters for student signature will be circulated at all class sessions and reviewed daily by the instructor. Make certain that your name in on them at every session you attend. Students who cannot assure consistent attendance at all class meetings should save us all discontent and drop this class at once; 2) completion of all assigned readings by the dates on which they are listed below on the Course Outline and Assignments; 3) completion exactly on time of two written assignments, one paper (5-6 pages) on a topic assigned by the instructor and one final research paper (15 pages minimum before endnotes or bibliography) on a topic of the student's choice with prior topic approval expressly from the instructor; 4) completion of a take-home final essay examination in essay format; 5) informed, vocal participation in all class discussions. All written course work submitted late is subject to severe grade penalties at the discretion of the instructor. Deadlines are deadlines, learn to meet them for all assignments all of the time.

Additional Course Requirements for Graduate Students in Section H509: Graduate students will fulfill all of the course requirements as above, except for point 3 on papers. Graduate students will do the first short essay. They will then complete an annotated bibliography of 15 sources minimum and a research paper of 25 pages minimum before endnotes on a topic approved in advance by the instructor. A list of strongly recommended potential graduate research topics will be distributed by the instructor to all graduate students enrolled by the second week of class. This list will focus on rich primary sources of the era accessible in English versions. Graduate students should preferably seek out topics that will force them to confront primary documents or other graphic sources from the era in question. Topics that force graduate students to apply and refine their knowledge of any relevant foreign languages (Italian, German, French, etc.) would also be most suitable and welcomed by the instructor. Please inform the instructor of your linguistic abilities beyond English.

All students should note that progress toward the objectives of this course fulfills several of the IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate Learning, including enhancement of Core Communication Skills (written and oral), Critical Thinking, especially analysis and synthesis of complex information, Integration and Application of Knowledge (crafting new knowledge through studying multiple disciplines simultaneously), improved Intellectual Depth and Breadth (intensive study of one historical era), and broader Understanding of Society and Culture (ancient and modern cultural traditions and ethical standards).

Course Grading:

B353: First Paper, 20% of final grade; Research Paper 50% of final grade; Take-home Final Examination, 15% of final grade; Class Participation, 15% of final grade.

H509: First Paper, 10% of final grade; Annotated Bibliography, 20% of final grade; Research Paper 50% of final grade; Take-home Final Examination 10% of final grade; Course Participation, 10% of final grade.

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

(All Readings to Be Completed by the Date They Are Listed.)

Th. 8/26 Course Introduction. Distribution and Explanation of Syllabus. Brief

Introductory Lecture, Renaissance Themes, Problems, Texts, and Rhetorics.

Options for study at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA).

Th. 9/2 Lecture/Discussion: The Problematics of Studying (and Writing) the

Renaissance. Histories and Historical Traditions of the Renaissance. Methods for Comprehending Renaissance Artists and Writers.

Readings: Burke, Italian Renaissance, Introduction and Part I, Chapts. 1-2;

Part II, Chapt. 3, pp. 1-88. (3 Copies of Burke on Reserve at Univ. Lib.)

Th. 9/9 Lecture/Discussion: Renaissance Patronage and Clientage. Demand and

Supply in the Italian Art World. The Utility of Art and the Formation of

Renaissance Taste. The Renaissance as an Artful Socio-Economic System.

Readings: Burke, Italian Renaissance, Part II, Chapts. 4-7, pp. 89- 177.

All Graduate Students to Have Confirmed Research Topics by this Date.

Th. 9/16 Lecture/Discussion: Renaissance Views (Big Pictures). Macrocosms and

Microcosms in Fashioning Senses of Time, Place, Society, and Self.

Readings: Italian Renaissance, Part III, Chapts. 8-10, pp. 181-247.

Th. 9/23 Lecture/Discussion: The Renaissance in Education. How do Schoolmasters

and Schoolboys Contribute to Renaissance Trends and Transformations? How

is Humanism Learned?

Readings: Kallendorf, (ed.), Humanist Educational Treatises, Introduction

andVergerio, The Character and Studies Befitting a Free-Born Youth, pp. vii-74.

First Paper Topics Distributed in Class.

Th. 9/30 Lecture/Discussion: Did Female Students Have A Renaissance? Gender

and Opportunities for Humanist Learning. Can Only Boys Learn to Be Humane?

Readings: Kallendorf, Humanist Educational Treatises, Bruni, Study of Literature,

and Piccolomini, The Education of Boys, pp. 93-125 and 127-259.

Th. 10/7 Lecture/Discussion: The Renaissance in Original History Research and Writing.

How did Historians Contribute to Renaissance Trends and Transformations?

Readings: Bruni, History of the Florentine People, Introduction, Maps, Preface, and Book I, pp. ix-107

First Papers Due in Class. No Exceptions.

Th. 10/14 Lecture/Discussion: What are the Crucial Past Events Renaissance Historians

Feel Compelled to Analyze, Describe, Define, and Remember?

Readings: Bruni, History of the Florentine People, Book II, pp. 108-235.

Th. 10/21 Guest Lecture (TBA)

Th. 10/28 Lecture/Discussion: Renaissance History, Urban Politics, and the

Teaching of Civic Virtue. What is Renaissance History Writing

Supposed to Place in the Hearts and Minds of Citizens?

Readings: Bruni, History of the Florentine people, Book IV,

pp. 330-471.

Th. 11/4 Lecture/Discussion: A Renaissance in a Singular Urban Space: Florence.

Readings: Turner, Renaissance Florence: Invention of A New Art, Introduction and

Chapts. 1-4, pp. 6-89. (Note Useful Chronology, pp. 168-169.)

Graduate Annotated Bibliographies Due in Class. No Exceptions.

Th. 11/11 Lecture/Discussion: Renaissance Urban Fine and Decorative Art: To What

Effects and Purposes?

Readings: Turner, Renaissance Florence, Chapts. 5-7, pp. 91-169.

Th. 11/18 Lecture/Discussion: A Florentine Patrician Writes a Primer on How to

Paint. Why? Art, Science, Display, and Education in the Florentine

Renaissance. Readings: Alberti, On Painting, Introduction, Notes, and

Text, pp. 1-101.

Th. 11/25 THANKSGIVING! (Renaissance Banqueting Encouraged.) NO CLASS!

Th. 12/2 Lecture/Discussion: Pricking Your Interest: Sex, Power, and Politics in the

Italian Renaissance. What Forces Conjoined to Promote Renaissance Erotic

Discourse and What Does It Teach About the Society in Which it Circulated?

Readings: Vignali, La Cazzaria: The Book of the Prick, Introduction and Text,

pp. 1-164.

Th. 12/9 Research and Writing Week, NO CLASS!

Take-Home Final Exam Available from 9:00 a.m. CA 504M.

Monday, Dec. 13

Final B353 Research Papers Due. No Exceptions.

Final H509 Grad. Research Papers Due. No Exceptions.

All Papers to Robbins' Faculty Mailbox, CA 504M. Hard Copies ONLY!

Thursday, Dec 16

Take-Home Final Examination Due in to Instructor's Mailbox by

5:00 p.m. CA 504M, IUPUI Campus. Finals may be or FAXED to 317-

278-7800. Finals may be submitted via E-mail Attachment (Microsoft

Word Files ONLY!) to krobbin1@iupui.edu